Chapter 26: **Chapter 26: The Storm Rises**
Although Asuma was still confused, Tsunade had indeed seemed to praise him. "I was just out training when I noticed my old classmates being surrounded by three attackers. So, I used Fire Release…" Asuma explained honestly.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's gaze hardened as he listened. "You saw Reiki being attacked by three men, and Tsunade did nothing? And it was only Reiki and two other girls there?" Knowing Asuma's mischievous side, Hiruzen could tell that, despite his nature, he wasn't lying. What Tsunade had said was the truth.
Taking a deep breath, Hiruzen asked pointedly, "Asuma, tell me clearly—did you arrange for this person to be there?" Asuma took a step back, hesitant. Seeing his reaction, Hiruzen understood.
It became clear: this ANBU operative had been roped in by Asuma for a bit of "playacting." But how did this game turn fatal?
"Go home, Asuma," Hiruzen ordered, gesturing him away. After he left, more ANBU arrived, bringing two additional burned bodies.
"Both corpses were severely burned, and traces of chakra at the scene only match Asuma's," reported one ANBU member. "It appears these two died from Fire Release."
Hiruzen frowned. *Could a basic fire technique really kill ANBU members?* The story seemed implausible.
Just then, Danzo entered, his eyes alighting on the bodies. "I see our ANBU is being killed off rather gruesomely," he commented, barely hiding his satisfaction. The last time Tsunade destroyed one of his bases, Danzo had been frustrated; seeing ANBU casualties now almost felt like payback.
"No, it wasn't the Uchiha clan," Hiruzen clarified, ignoring Danzo's tone. "These injuries remind me of the mysterious deaths that occurred in the hospital recently." He recalled a similar case that hadn't made sense back then, either. Danzo's interest deepened as he examined the bodies.
"You think the person responsible for that incident struck again?" he asked, growing serious. For someone to kill with such precision under ANBU's nose was deeply unsettling. And he knew it couldn't be Tsunade—her methods weren't subtle.
"Possibly," Hiruzen admitted, "but we need to investigate all recent visitors to the village."
Meanwhile, at Tsunade's place, dinner had just finished, with Kurenai and Shizune joining to help prepare the meal. Reiki, as usual, walked Kurenai home, and when he returned, Tsunade was waiting.
"Did you kill those three?" she asked, a hint of pride in her voice.
"Yes," Reiki replied nonchalantly, taking a seat.
"Not bad!" Tsunade clapped him on the shoulder approvingly. "I don't know how you did it, but as my disciple, you did what you needed to. Next time, don't hesitate—remember, I've got your back."
In the past, she might have been tempted to dwell on her emotions or worry about connections. But with Reiki as her student, her focus had shifted. She felt certain now that some people in her life, like Kato Dan, didn't suit her at all. She preferred having someone she could trust, like Shizune.
---
Later that night, the village was a hive of activity as both ANBU and the Root organization launched investigations to root out spies within Konoha. To their surprise, many foreign spies had infiltrated, some even blending in by establishing families. Every last one of them was detained.
The increased scrutiny doubled the number of Uchiha clan members under surveillance, pushing tensions to a breaking point. In Uchiha Fugaku's study, clan members voiced their frustration over the blatant monitoring. To them, this was an outright insult.
"Understood," Fugaku responded calmly. "Natsume, form a team and conduct training drills in front of those spies. If they interfere…consider it part of your training."
He understood this rising tension would deepen the rift between the village and the Uchiha clan. Yet there seemed little he could do to prevent it.
---
In another part of the village, Uchiha Mikoto clutched Kushina's hand as she prepared to leave. "Stay at my place tonight! Minato's still out on his mission, right?" she pleaded.
Kushina smiled, shaking her head. "No, I should get home—when he returns, he'll be starving." Waving goodbye, she started toward her and Minato's place.
As she stepped out of the Uchiha clan's district, Kushina immediately sensed she was being watched. Although irritated, she knew she couldn't afford to make a fuss—she couldn't risk becoming a problem for Minato, who had so much potential. She walked on, ignoring the prying eyes, while the ANBU observed her, sending a report to confirm her whereabouts.
Keeping tabs on the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, especially with her Uchiha connections, was considered necessary—even if it added more fuel to Konoha's already tense internal storm.
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